Controlling Parts Cleanliness for Automotive Manufacturers

Automotive manufacturers, and their part suppliers, are increasingly implementing parts cleanliness and contamination control programs that comply with ISO 16232 or VDA 19 standards. These cleanliness standards are typically applied to automotive parts such as transmissions, fuel injectors, power steering pumps, and fluid hoses. This white paper describes the workflow and processes to implement a cleanliness program, from capturing micron-sized particles to the finalized ISO- or VDA-compliant reports. Additionally, this white paper compares and contrasts the different technologies available to monitor and control cleanliness – gravimetric, particle counters, optical microscopy, and SEM/EDX technology.